What is the poor woman supposed to do with them?! If she had worn a high collared shirt she would probably have been labelled frumpy, when it comes to breasts there is no winning, I am saddened to see women making such derogatory comments (Margaret USA especially), as a woman with similar assets I feel for Jacqui Smith, especially when she is faced with a camera pointing down at her from such an angle. It seems that no matter how far we get, how many degrees, how responsible a level we attain at work, we are still shot down if our appearance is seen to falter, all rather sad really.

ABH, London,

Inappropriate for the House of Commons. The fact that we're debating it (and there are numerous articles) shows it is inappropriate, the issue has been obscured whether she meant it or not. The attitude that she should be able to wear what she likes is ridiculous, she is in a the public office and should dress without flirting with what is "acceptable". You don't expect your bank manager to be wearing trackie bottoms and trainers just as you don't expect copious amounts of exposed flesh when you visit your dentist.

James LeFay, London, UK,

This is absolutely ridiculous and I hate myself for commenting on it however I find it so infuriating that I really cannot help myself.

Firstly, she does not "look like an ageing tart trying to hard" nor was she "showing acres of flesh" she is a strong, confident women trying to do her job, very well so far I might add. I would find it very interesting to know the ages of the people here who have put forth negative opinions about Ms Smith because I think we would find that it is the opinions of ageing, narrow minded, conservatives. She is not wearing hot pants and a boob-tube, she is wearing a very nice, smart, fashionable (and probably expensive) suit that I see business women wearing everyday in the respectable offices of my employment. No, you probably wouldn't have seen Mrs Thatcher wearing that outfit, 20 years ago!
I just hope Ms Smith does not take this finger pointing, prudish tosh to heart and alter the way she dresses. Im 26 years of age for the record.

Byron Scott, Newcastle,

It's absurd to make an issue out of a woman's cleavage in 2007. She's a woman, she has breasts, she chose to dress in a way that did not completely cover them as is perfectly acceptable in western society. Maybe the naysayers would be happier setting up camp with the muslims and stoning or stomping women to death for not being modest enough. What next, attack women in business and politics for wearing skirts or makeup? For curling their hair?

Mike Chapman, Portland, Oregon, USA

It's not about her cleavage, it's about decorum. What happens if Gordon Brown shows up wearing an open shirt flashing some man-cleavage the day after an almost bombing?

Gabriel..., Ottawa, Canada

Carlyle Braden of Croydon wrote:
"And while we're at it, leave Margaret Beckett, Anne Widdicombe and any other of the great female minority of politicians alone, unless she is messing up her job."

Sounds reasonable - till you remember that Margaret Becket is one of the great failures of our time! If you need a reminder try her latest fiasco -who fouled up farm subsidies so badly that the EU fines we had to pay reduced the budget for flood defences?

MIke Bibby, St Albans, England -not EU

Oh people, grow up. I think we should have more women like Jacqui so that you lot would get used to see some cleavage and it will stop being an issue. She is a woman. I hope she won't start dressing like a man just to keep you focused on the topic of the day. Honestly!

Carmen, Leeds,

This is ridiculous. Anyone more concerned by a person's (distinctly average, enhanced by being photographed from above) cleavage than the important message about terrorism they are delivering should grow up. 50% of people have them, get over it. It should not be an issue.

Catherine Davies, Leicester, England

I have to say I agree with Sarah Vine's comments. To comment on a woman's appearance, which in this case was perfectly decent, is adolescent on the part of the media. The woman is doing a job: we do not employ her to be a fashion model. She is the new Home Secretary which is a position requiring dignity. I find nothing undignified about what she is wearing in the photo: in fact I didn't think about it at all until I read on. Alice Olin's advice to wear stilettos is absurd in the extreme, if she is not used to them. Condi Rice probably is. I would not be and the comfort of my feet ( my best friends!) is of paramount importance. And while we're at it, leave Margaret Beckett, Anne Widdicombe and any other of the great female minority of politicians alone, unless she is messing up her job. By the way, does Gordon Brown pick his nose? I have read he bites his nails! What about his toenails? Now that is something to write home about!

Carlyle Braden, Croydon, U.K

weapons of mass distraction, anyone? No seriously, this lady is doing a great job already. She is assured, composed and obviously not prone to knee-jerk reactions - I think she will go down (oo-er) as a great Home Sec. Is it her fault that she is so much easier on the eyes and ears than deplorable Reid and fugly Clarke?

Crashing Dashing Kid, wirral, UK

My first reaction as seeing her at the disptch box is that she was trying to distract the people watching.

Showing a bit of cleavage as Trinny and Susannah like to point out is a useful way to distract men's eyes from the double chin and belly that middle aged women sometimes develop.

My second reaction was that her dress was unprofessional and in the circumstances insensitive.

Robin, London,

No need to take the veil, but a little more modesty at the dispatch box is in order; can you possibly imagine "maggie" in full flow with a builders bum cleavage on show?
So dress for the occasion not the headlines.

John Chatfield, Chester,

has she spoken to Trinny and Susannah for fashion advice as the two of them are big on getting people to show off their cleavage.

IMACOMPUTERBUDDIE, ISLE OF CUMBRAE, SCOTLAND

It'll be televised breast-feeding on the front bench next ! Cleavage such as that displayed is for the beach and was neither befitting the occasion nor the surroundings.

Similarly, picking one's nose in public is a definite no-no, particularly by one who now represents the country and who so many people are obliged to shake hands with !

Chris, Worcester,

No need to take the veil, but a little more modesty at the dispatch box is in order; can you possibly imagine "maggie" in full flow with a builders bum cleavage on show?
So dress for the occasion not the headlines. Sarah Vine must be a one off, apart to admitting to wearing pyjamas, does she really believe the majority of women do not know what theu are wearing?
Ms Smiths choice of attire was at least insensitive to a multi cultural audience that she knew would be watching.

John Chatfield, Chester,

Putting Ms. Olin's fashion tips at the bottom of Ms Vine's article is hilarious. She should really have been concerned about "every Tom, Dick and Harriet"...

Mike Allen, Newcastle,

Oh do grow up Ms Vine. We don't expect to see acres of flesh on anyone in a position of authority. It's not anti-feminist. Imagine Gordon Brown in T-shirt and shorts.

M. Naden, Teesside,

You write an entire piece on her boobs but the image cuts the facts off. What are you scared of ?

Nerletto, Milton Keynes,

Dear Miss Vine:

I watched Jacqui (how darling.) on TV. First impressions...aging tart trying too hard. It was an absolute disgrace for the British people. No matter your defense, the "helpful hints" at the end of your article confirm my assertion.

Margaret Mary, worcester, ma USA

So the editor thinks it appropriate to put this in the Women's Fashion Section...... missing the point a bit!!

Sarah, Wellington, Somerset

Ms Olins, I would disagree on one point. It is genuinely useful to witness people criticising politicians for the way they look. As soon as the criticism starts it marks the attacker as a vacuous fool who's opinions should be ignored.

ThomasD, London, UK

Great looking bombs!

wow, London, UK